Looking for a House to Buy

I. Pre-listening task

Here are some words you will hear in the recording. Study their pronunciation and meaning.

to knock down (v) – разрушить, снести

our gas bills will go down – счета за газ уменьшатся

a converted loft – переоборудованный чердак

a lane (n) – узкая улочка, переулок, тропинка

to fix the stairs – укрепить лестницу

the roof is leaking – крыша протекает

the ceiling will come down – потолок просядет

II. Listening and comprehension tasks

2.1 Listen to Linda and Jeremy’s conversation and say what their general impressions of the house are.

2.2 Describe the house they are talking about. Give only the facts, not their opinions.

III. Follow up activity

Do you think Linda and Jeremy will buy the house or not? Give your grounds.

• Speaking

1. Imagine you are looking for a house to buy. Is its location important to you? Look through the list below and decide:

• which of the facilities in the list you often use;

• which ones are important for you;

• if there are any other facilities not mentioned which you would like to have in your neighbourhood.

WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?
	Important	Useful	Not Important
launderette library cinema supermarket bank post office swimming pool tennis courts newspaper/ bookshop football pitch basketball pitch park restaurant clothes shop museum or art gallery language school bus stop video hire shop hairdresser pub

2. What aspects are the most important to you in a home? With a partner, look at this list, and choose the three factors which you consider most important for a successful home. Add other factors if you think important ones are missing.

• It should be situated near friendly neighbours or your family.

• It should have personal possessions which mean a lot to you.

• It should be in a quiet location.

• It should have an efficient kitchen.

• It should have an efficient bathroom.

• It should have good central heating / a good air conditioning system.

• It should be appropriate for its environment.

• It should have a comfortable sitting room.

• It should be near your work.

• It should be near shops.

• ...

3. Share your opinions about your parents’ home. Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of its location and the things you would like to have in your neighbourhood.

4. You are going to buy a house. Which organization will you go? What are its main functions?

5. You have been saving up and now you’re planning to buy a house. Share your plans with your elder sister. Your decision is to buy a two-storeyed house:

1. with the help of a building society;

2. with the help of an estate agency.

Unit 4 Furniture and Furnishing Active Vocabulary

bathroom / washroom (AmE)

bedroom bedsitter (BrE)

hall kitchen

living room lounge

nursery sitting room

study toilet / loo

utility room

air conditioner cassette recorder

CD player (compact disc player) video cassette recorder / VCR

stereo system colour TV set

computer freezer

iron plug

socket record player

refrigerator (fridge) / icebox (AmE)

tumble drier vacuum cleaner (hoover)

armchair article / item of furniture

ashtray build-in furniture

bookshelf bureau

cabinet; display cabinet; liquor cabinet

carpet / fitted carpet chandelier

coffee table cot (BrE) / crib (AmE)

couch / sofa / sofa bed / settee

cupboard curtain

desk desk lamp

dining table drawer

dressing table

dishwasher electric / gas cooker

mirror / hall mirror microwave (oven)

parquet floor plant pot

puff rocking chair

rug sink

standard lamp suit (kitchen suit)

tap (BrE) / faucet (AmE) wall unit

wardrobe / clothes closet (AmE) washbasin

writing table

to decorate to fix

to furnish to install

to paint to repair

to switch off / on to turn off / on

to have smth. installed / repaired / painted, etc.

to whitewash